The Local Audit (Health Service Bodies Auditor Panel and Independence) Regulations 2015

Members of auditor panels

5.—(1) The auditor panel of a health service body must have—

(a) a minimum of three members;

(b) a chair who is—

(i) independent and;

(ii) a non-executive member of the governing board of that health service body; and

(c) a majority of members who are—

(i) independent and;

(ii) non-executive members of the governing board of that health service body.

(2) The auditor panel of a health service body may include—

(a) members of the governing board who do not meet the requirements of “independent” determined in accordance with regulation 6; and

(b) persons who meet the requirements of “independent” determined in accordance with regulation 6 who are not members of the governing board.

(3) A person may not be appointed as an independent member of an auditor panel unless—

(a) a vacancy for an independent member has been advertised in such manner as the health service body considers is likely to bring it to the attention of the public;

(b) the person has submitted an application to fill the vacancy to the health service body; and

(c) the person’s appointment has been approved by a majority of the members of the health service body’s governing board.

(4) The health service body may appoint a member of the governing board or the audit committee of that body as a member of the auditor panel and in that event the procedures required in paragraph (3) do not apply.

(5) The health service body must adopt a set of rules with regard to the removal or resignation of members of the auditor panel, or of its chair, and may from time to time revise any of those rules.